Sikh Girl, Kiran Jassal, To Represent Malaysia In Miss Universe

Kiran Jassal had won the Miss Universe Malaysia title in 2016.

A 20-year-old Sikh girl will represent Malaysia at the Miss Universe 2016 finals at Manila. Kiranmeet Kaur Baljeet Singh Jassal won the Miss Universe Malaysia title in 2016 and was awarded the 'Miss My Dentist Winning Smile' subsidiary title.

Kiran's family shifted to Malaysia decades ago and is based in the suburbs of Subang Jaya town in Selangor state.

A whole new chapter, a new beginning. It's going to be a good, good year ahead and I honestly am so grateful to be able to learn and grow under this beautiful mamacita, @careyons . Here's to working together and producing only the best results! 👑💝💕 #MissUniverseMalaysia #MissUniverseMalaysia2016 #KiranJassal #QueenKJ #newqueen #KiranKillanIt #CareyNg #teamkiran #mamaC #TeamMALAYSIA #KiranJ @missuniversemalaysia

A photo posted by Miss Universe Malaysia 2016 🇲🇾 (@kiran_jassal) on Feb 1, 2016 at 6:15am PST

A wee bit delayed.. But I honestly was so lost for words, the joy and happiness I felt and still am feeling, is inexplicable. I am really thankful to everyone who supported me on this journey and believed in me and my capabilities, especially my family and friends who were always motivating me in some way or another. To all my lovely fans out there, I am deeply humbled by the overwhelming response and thank you for having the confidence in me, as well as trusting me with representing our country, Malaysia at Miss Universe later this year. Last but not least, thank you @missuniversemalaysia for this amazing and once in a lifetime opportunity, for guiding me through every step of the way, and for simply believing in me. I hope and pray that I will live up to the prestigious crown and do Malaysia proud. 💕💝👑 #missuniversemalaysia2016 #newqueen #QueenKJ #TEAMKIRAN #KiranKillanIt #TNMUM16

A video posted by Miss Universe Malaysia 2016 🇲🇾 (@kiran_jassal) on Jan 30, 2016 at 6:42pm PST

Her mother, Ranjit Kaur, was the winner of the Classic Mrs Malaysia title in 2015 while her sister Ranmeet, a model, was also a beauty pageant title holder and a doctor by profession.

Jassal Sisters

With my +1 plus for the night ❤️ Thank you @ditsmalaysia for gifting me this experience of a lifetime. Scrumptious food (double thumbs up for the dessert) and amazing company, thank you for making my evening special! 😘 #MissUniverseMalaysia2016 #KiranJassal #jassalsisters #ditsmalaysia #dinnerinthesky #yummytummy

A photo posted by Miss Universe Malaysia 2016 🇲🇾 (@kiran_jassal) on May 22, 2016 at 6:53am PDT

The best way to unwind is definitely by spending time with your favourite person, doing the things you love! Contradictory to how it may look, the @bodybreakfast scrubs are extremely gentle on the skin, leaving your skin feeling soft, supple and moist! Always remember to care for your skin too folks! | #missuniversemalaysia2016 #kiranjassal #missgrandmalaysia #ranmeetjassal #bodybreakfast

A photo posted by Miss Universe Malaysia 2016 🇲🇾 (@kiran_jassal) on Nov 16, 2016 at 7:00am PST

The Jassal sisters grew up admiring and idolising beauty queens Miss World 1994 Aishwarya Rai and Miss Universe 1994 Sushmita Sen.

Their stories resonated strongly with me because they did something else with their lives other than just being a beauty queen, especially Sushmita Sen, as she did a lot of charity work outside of Miss Universe.

Kiran Jassal

Kiran With Her Mother

Good evening #teamMalaysia ✨ || Doesn't my mum look hot and ravishingly beautiful? Thank you ZIP E-Magazine for the lovely feature with my mum! || Check out the article regarding us mother-daughter duo and my journey as MUM 2016 that came out earlier today. 👭 💕 || To subscribe to ZIP, simply download Zon Interaktif Peesona from your App Store or Google Playstore for FREE. || Write up by @yaniebaharom @georgie_joseph Photo by @nizarhafizmustafa Makeup by @razzimusa Dressed by @fiziwoo Hair by @shawncutlerbangsar #MissUniverseMalaysia2016 #KiranJassal #zoninteraktifpesona

A photo posted by Miss Universe Malaysia 2016 🇲🇾 (@kiran_jassal) on Mar 1, 2016 at 1:56am PST

Kiran, who is studying dentistry at the International Medical University (IMU), said beauty pageants were good platforms for younger women to voice their opinions.

Beauty pageants could be used to gain fame and publicity. But I think if it is used right, you can get the public recognition to raise awareness and bring light to certain causes as you have a huge target audience.

Kiran Jassal

Kiran Sharing a Moment With Dad

The only Superman I know, is my dad. Have a goodnight and a blessed week ahead! X #MissUniverseMalaysia #KiranJassal #daddysgirl #superdad #papabear #daddyjassal

A photo posted by Miss Universe Malaysia 2016 🇲🇾 (@kiran_jassal) on Apr 17, 2016 at 8:24am PDT

Her sister Ranmeet, a medical graduate of the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences in India, says the perception of beauty pageants has changed over the years.

More women who are equally good in education are taking the initiative because it is a good platform to educate and inspire young women. [sic]

The 65th Miss Universe 2016 finals will take place in Manila, Phillipines on 20 January.